The Mosaic Partnerships Program is designed to build social capital within racial
and ethnic diversity. When the bonds that unite people of different races and
ethnicities are strengthened communities are elevated to a higher degree of social
connectedness, trust, and mutual cooperation. These essential building blocks of
community development enable the community to actualize the latent talents and skills
embodied within it, encouraging the full realization of its social and economic potential.
The Mosaic Process involves a one-year guided experience for participants that fosters trusting relationships
between members of the community who are paired across race and/or ethnicity. The Program begins with the
senior leaders from a wide range of sectors and niches in the community and then, with each phase, cascades
deeper into the community, continuing to tap formal and informal leadership.
Key Principles of the Program
Start with Natural Opinions Leaders: The opinions and actions of a small percentage of influential members of a group (“natural opinion leaders”) have great influence on the rest of the population. These opinion leaders
have many dense social and professional networks over which they have significant influence. When a sufficient
number of people in those networks are influenced by them, a shift in common values occurs and cultural
transformation begins.
Trust Development: Researchers and social scientists continually point to trust as the most basic building block of human relationships. Without trust there can be no sustainable social change. As such, the various elements of Mosaic Partnerships have been carefully crafted to guide partners through a yearlong journey to an everdeepening friendship and trust. We have found that increased trust leads to improved communication and understanding, greater integration of social and professional networks, enriched and meaningful dialogues, and increased community engagement on the part of the participants.
Transformation not Information: Studies on adult learning styles have found that the most effective means
of learning and creating behavioral transformation is direct personal experience, which is the primary focus of
Mosaic Partnerships. Heart-to-heart exchanges are the most powerful ones, as they cause the participants to
question their unconscious, pre-conceived notions. Through promoting trust and fellowship between participants
across difference, Mosaic Partnerships fosters the environment necessary to encourage genuine interactions
and, thereby, creates a prime opportunity for the recognition of our human oneness.
Social Capital's impact on social and economic development
author of Bowling Alone
“Social capital is the glue that holds societies together and without which there can be no economic growth or human well-being.”
| Participant Comments | 
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“The rewards are spectacular. It takes us out of
our normal routine. Insanity is doing the same thing and expecting
better results. Well, if we want better results, we better do things
differently… and this is a great example of that.” Danny Wegman, President of Wegmans Food Markets |
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“It’s about people connecting. If we did this as
a community, people engaging across lines, we’d be a stronger community.”
Wade Norwood, Rochester City Councilman |
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“The Mosaic process has been a rewarding experience that I believe
will forever change Greensboro as well as me” Mayor Keith Holliday, Greensboro, North Carolina |
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“There is value in the Program. I think it does enhance
diversity, understanding and I hope it continues not only here but
in other places in the country.” Sandra Frankel, Supervisor, Town of Brighton, New York |
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“The Mosaic Program is a special opportunity to expand
beyond the sphere of friends that they have and meet people who
bring something different to the table and may enlarge their understanding
by doing so.” Peter Jemison, Seneca Nation Faith Keeper |
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“It’s more than just a project. It changed the way
people approach each other and they went back and embedded this
approach in their daily lives…. All it takes is some will and some
time. It’s the best money I know that can be invested in a community’s
future.” Mayor William A. Johnson, City of Rochester, New York |
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Further Information on Mosaic |
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Rochester, NY (2001 - Present) 
In
2001, Mayor of Rochester, New York William A. Johnson launched the “Bi-Racial
Partnerships for Community Progress” (now called “Mosaic Partnerships”)
to address race relations issues in Rochester. Over the past three years,
the Program has brought together more than 250 leaders in the Rochester
community from various sectors of the community, including business,
government, education, religious, non-profit, etc. This year 350 more
leaders of the Rochester community will participate in the Program.
Articles (PDF file to download) Odyssey of Humanity
Greensboro, NC (2004 - Present)
In
2004, Greensboro, North Carolina adopted the Program to address a concern
around the level of trust and cooperation among its diverse population.
In November 2005, 140 leaders of the greater Greensboro community came
together in a sea of diversity to celebrate the completion of the first
year in Greensboro. At least two more years of the Program are planned
for the community, which will include nearly 500 additional leaders.
Articles (PDF file to download) Greensboro, NC Mosaic Program web site Milwaukee, WI (2006 - Present) 
This year Milwaukee, Wisconsin has become the third Mosaic community. The Milwaukee Mosaic Program launched in September 2006 with 236 community leaders gathering for the opening celebration. The Program is spearheaded by the Greater Milwaukee Foundation.
Milwaukee Mosaic Partnerships December 2007 newsletter Milwaukee, WI Mosaic Program web site | ||
